Average Starting Field Position
The average yard line where a team's drives begin.
Glossary category
College Football Special Teams Glossary
Special teams terms cover the field-position and scoring plays that can swing games outside normal offense and defense.
Back to all glossary termsTop Special Teams Terms
Average Starting Field PositionThe average yard line where a team's drives begin.Blocked KickA field goal, PAT, or kickoff attempt deflected by the defense.Blocked PuntA punt deflected or stopped by the receiving team before it travels normally.Coffin CornerA punt aimed near the sideline close to the opponent's goal line to pin the offense deep.Coverage TeamThe kicking team players responsible for limiting returns.Downed PuntA punt touched or stopped by the kicking team to end the play without a return.Fair CatchA signal by a returner choosing not to advance a kick in exchange for protection from being tackled.Fake Field GoalA play where the kicking team lines up for a field goal but runs or passes instead.
All Special Teams Definitions
25 terms
Blocked Kick
A field goal, PAT, or kickoff attempt deflected by the defense.
Blocked Punt
A punt deflected or stopped by the receiving team before it travels normally.
Coffin Corner
A punt aimed near the sideline close to the opponent's goal line to pin the offense deep.
Coverage Team
The kicking team players responsible for limiting returns.
Downed Punt
A punt touched or stopped by the kicking team to end the play without a return.
Fair Catch
A signal by a returner choosing not to advance a kick in exchange for protection from being tackled.
Fake Field Goal
A play where the kicking team lines up for a field goal but runs or passes instead.
Fake Punt
A play where the punting team pretends to punt but runs or passes instead.
Field Goal
A three-point scoring kick attempted through the uprights.
Field Goal Percentage
The percentage of field goal attempts that are made.
Inside 20
A punt that pins the opponent at or inside its own 20-yard line.
Kick Six
A touchdown scored by returning a missed or blocked field goal attempt.
Kickoff
A free kick used to start each half and restart play after scoring plays.
Kickoff Return
A return attempt after receiving a kickoff.
Muff
A failed attempt to catch or control a loose ball, especially on a kick, that is not the same as possessing and fumbling it.
Net Punt Average
Punt average adjusted for returns, touchbacks, and other outcomes.
Onside Kick
A short kickoff designed to give the kicking team a chance to recover the ball.
Point After Touchdown
A scoring attempt after a touchdown.
Punt
A kick used to give the ball to the opponent while trying to improve field position.
Punt Average
Total punt yards divided by punts.
Punt Return
A return attempt after receiving a punt.
Return Team
The receiving team players responsible for catching and returning kicks or punts.
Sky Kick
A high kickoff intended to limit return yardage and force a shorter return.
Squib Kick
A low kickoff designed to reduce return danger or manipulate clock and field position.